Who is Maria Namaganda?
Maria Namaganda: Bioinformatics Scientist & Wellness Enthusiast – A Journey of Balance and Growth
"my journey overview"
Well, to put it simply, Maria is a vibrant, multi-faceted soul who wears many hats. Daughter, sister, friend, scientist, digital creative—Maria is a dynamic mix of intellect, passion, and a deep commitment to helping others lead balanced lives.
From her roots in Uganda to her current studies and work in bioinformatics, Maria’s journey is a vivid tale woven with ambition, resilience, and an unwavering quest for holistic wellness. We’re to dive into the past, present, and future of this remarkable woman, and explore how she seamlessly integrates data science with personal well-being.
Maria Namaganda is, at her core, a vibrant, multi-dimensional individual who’s always experiencing and becoming. She defines herself as a divine being experiencing all she is, while creating the life she envisions and helping others along the way. Daughter, sister, friend, and aunt, yes—but she’s also a Bioinformatics Research Scientist, deeply involved in exploring the possibilities of genomics, data science, and health. And on the spin side, she’s a digital creative and wellness coach, passionately inspiring others to live a balanced, holistic lifestyle. Maria’s path is one where science meets personal growth, where wellness is not just a buzzword but a way of life.
Let's take a trip to
Maria's Journey ...
"Past": The Foundations of a Dream
My journey began in Uganda, in a small town called Mutungo. I was born into a big family, the kind that overflowed with love and laughter. Our beginnings were modest, but my parents were present and intentional, deeply invested in our upbringing. They were strict, no doubt about that, but looking back, I see that every rule, every curfew, and every protective gesture was part of the groundwork they laid for us to dream big and live well.
I am unique and divine, I believe. I had big dreams, in common language today, it probably came off as delusional. Imagining myself winning at life, walking the streets of London, experiencing the excitement of California, all while living in a small, tight-knit community in Uganda. It sounds fantastical, but dreams are the currency of childhood, and I was rich with them. My mother started my schooling at home, alongside my siblings. I was eager to learn and even more eager to experience the world beyond the four walls of our home.
So, one day, in typical “Maria style,” I took the initiative to join a neighborhood school, whose name I can’t recall, owned by a one “Nalongo” all because I felt I was of age and “bored at home” as all my siblings and age-mates were in school. That was my first act of stepping beyond the expected and creating my own path. Fun fact and notably; I was exceptional at counting and differentiating money at a very young age, regardless of whether they were coins or papers. By the time I was five, I was ready for formal schooling.
I attended Genesis Nursery and Primary School, where I excelled—I was not only the “big baby” but the “star” of my class. Instead of spending three years in nursery like my peers, I zoomed through in just one year, catching up with my agemates. In the same school, I completed the seven years of primary studies. My secondary education took me to Bishop Cipriano Kihangire Secondary School, where I attended both O and A levels as a day scholar. My preferred subjects in O level were Math and French. Oui, Je’mapelle Marie, Etoi?
For Advanced secondary level, I took on Biology, Chemistry and Math with ICT and general paper as subsidiaries. My passion for knowledge didn’t stop there. I enrolled at Makerere University not once, not twice, but three times—earning my undergraduate degree in Biomedical laboratory technology, pursuing a Master of Science in Bioinformatics, and now, I’m working toward my PhD in Bioinformatics and Data science. My academic journey has been a testament to both my love for learning and my consistency.
I’ve taken classes at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including summer school at the Cancer Research Cambridge Institute in the United Kingdom and Data Science training at the University of California, San Francisco in the United States of America. Today, I’m advancing my knowledge further with Clinical Research Leadership training at the University of Oxford in the UK.
My journey has been nothing short of a ride—one filled with opportunities, challenges, and dreams to realise.
"Present": In Pursuit of Balance
At this stage in my life, I am a beautiful work in progress, living as a multifaceted being, exploring all the gifts God and life have to offer. I am continuously evolving as a person—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Concurrently as a Bioinformatics Scientist, and digital creative, navigating through data and biological systems to derive insights that will contribute to the field of global health. I believe that our true power lies in the balance we create across all areas of life, and this is the balance I strive to maintain.
Professionally, my focus is on bioinformatics and data science. I have specialized in infectious diseases, with particular attention to HIV drug resistance. My work revolves around next-generation sequencing, sequence data analysis, and the study of large-scale biological datasets to uncover solutions for public health challenges.
My time in the lab at Mulago, during the COVID-19 outbreak, was a testament to my commitment to making a difference in health science. Running patient samples and extracting insights during such a crucial time in history was both humbling and empowering. I have also authored and co-authored several scientific publications, contributing to the growing body of knowledge in infectious diseases and data science. I’m now delving deeper into machine learning and artificial intelligence, looking to apply these cutting-edge techniques to solve health challenges in resource-limited settings, particularly in Africa.
But my professional life is only part of my story. In my personal life, I am passionate about wellness—thriving, balanced living that encompasses all aspects of well-being. From physical health to emotional clarity, spiritual growth to mental resilience, wellness is a core part of who I am. I am a digital creative, sharing my wellness journey with others through social media platforms like YouTube,
Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. My goal is to inspire others to embrace wellness in their own lives, not as an abstract concept, but as a daily practice.Most recently, I’ve taught myself to swim, a skill that has come in handy as I adjust to life in the UK. Swimming, for me, is not just a physical activity—it’s a metaphor for life’s challenges. You dive in, unsure of how you’ll navigate the waters, but with practice ,persistence and mostly serenity, you learn to swim through them gracefully. (cite me on this as Namaganda, 2024)
"Future:" A Vision of Fulfillment and Impact
What’s next for Maria Namaganda? I would say, “the future is bright and serene.” I envision myself as a philanthropist, wife, mother, and life coach, helping people reach their highest potential. Short term, she’s aiming to complete her Ph.D., but the goals don’t stop there. I see my self playing a significant role in global health, contributing through research, mentorship, and public speaking.
I’m as well passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists, particularly girls from underrepresented backgrounds. Maria’s story is one of resilience and ambition, and she wants others to know that they too can break barriers, just as she has done.
At the intersection of her scientific expertise and wellness passion, Maria has found a powerful way to inspire and support others. She wants to lead by example, proving that it’s possible to blend rigorous intellectual pursuits with a well-rounded, fulfilling life.
what i do for a living ...
In my role as a Bioinformatics Scientist, I analyze biological and health data to derive insights that can inform healthcare strategies, particularly in the context of infectious diseases. My work has largely focused on HIV drug resistance. By studying the genetic sequences of HIV, I can identify patterns of resistance to drugs used by people living with the virus. This research is critical for tailoring treatment plans to ensure they are effective.
One of the most humbling experiences in my career was being part of the rapid response team during the COVID-19 outbreak. At the time, I was working at the Molecular Laboratory at Makerere College of Health Sciences. We ran countless patient samples, analyzing data to better understand the virus and its impact. It was intense, but it reminded me of why I chose this path—to be part of something larger than myself, to use data and science to save lives.
Currently, I am applying data science techniques like machine learning and artificial intelligence to global health issues, particularly in resource-limited settings like Uganda. I am excited about the potential these tools have to revolutionize how we approach healthcare in Africa and beyond.
lifestyle & wellness enthusiast
To Maria, wellness isn’t just about physical health—it’s about balance. True wellness is a harmonious, integrated way of living that combines mental clarity, spiritual grounding, emotional balance, and personal growth. It’s an all-encompassing state of being where the mind, body, and soul are aligned.
Maria incorporates wellness into her everyday life through self-awareness practices, mindfulness, journaling, swimming, and maintaining strong, supportive personal relationships. She also emphasizes the importance prioritizing rest, occasionally saying “no,” setting boundaries and promoting balance in all areas of life. Whether it’s through simple acts of kindness or major lifestyle choices, Maria believes in the power of being present and intentional in all she does.
FAQs
Who is Maria Namaganda?
Maria is a bioinformatics research scientist & digital creative. A divine & vibrant multifaceted being, constantly evolving and discovering the depths of who she is.
What does Maria focus on as a Bioinformatics Scientist?
She focuses on analyzing biological and health data to derive insights that can inform healthcare strategies, particularly in the context of infectious diseases, My work has largely focused on HIV drug resistance.
How does Maria define wellness?
Wellness is about balance—harmonious living that encompasses all facets of life. It’s about physical health, mental clarity, emotional well-being, spiritual growth, and personal fulfillment.
What inspired Maria to pursue a Ph.D.?
Gaining significant experience in wet laboratory work—collecting biological data, made her realize that she needed to gain the computational skills necessary to analyze that data. The more she learned, the more she got to know that pursuing a Ph.D was the path to take.
Why does Wellness Thriving Matter for Everyone?
When wellness is a priority, everything else benefits—your work, your relationships, your creativity. People who focus on wellness experience greater productivity, reduced stress, and a more profound sense of fulfillment.
What are Maria’s future aspirations?
Her vision is to combine these two worlds—science and wellness—into a holistic approach that benefits individuals and communities.
digital creative
Through the use of digital tools and technology like script writing, photography, videography, photo and video editing to produce digital content. It’s this content that I share across my various social platforms that acts as a voice in educating, inspiring as ell as motivating young individual still trying to figure out life.